"Sullivan's Island On Her Birthday" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Linen   sold

I forgot to post this!  This painting was done just as a storm was approaching which makes for the most glorious cloud formations..Only, when that storm hits, you've got to get out quick!
Just as I was closing the door to my car to drive home the sky dropped out!
But I must say this has to be my favorite of all the Sullivan's Island Light House paintings I've ever done.
Happy Birthday, Amanda!!

"A Dream Garden" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   sold

Painted Alla Prima en Plein Air at one of my favorite places to paint: Bennett Street in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant.  This home's garden is "to die for" gorgeous!!  The picket fence is lined with beautiful blooms of various flowers and the hydrangeas were of the deepest purple!  I've not seen anything like it.  Ah, to dream. . .

"Proud Mamma" Revised SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas  sold

Aw, much better warmed up.  This is the same painting as in the previous post only worked on a little bit more to get the color balanced just right.  I added a bit of 'warmth' to the birds and foreground which helped to add dimension and depth to an otherwise "flat" background.

"Proud Mamma" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   sold

I am not sure if this is completely finished yet, but I wanted to post it in it's ". . so far" stage.
I may give my eyes a rest and look at it again tomorrow.  I can see that I might need to "warm" up the birds a little bit to differentiate them from the water.  I'll re-post the final painting after evaluating it later.

"Nappers & Snackers" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on GessoBord brand panel  sold

I am thinking of doing a small series of paintings depicting these cute little shore birds: Sandpipers

"Greg to the Rescue" sold

"Greg II"

12"x9" Oil on Canvas gifted

This is the second painting of Greg that I did the last day of the workshop.  I loved how this one turned out and I was so appreciative of Greg stepping in to model for us that I decided if he showed any interest at all in wanting this painting that I'd simply give it to him.  He was such a sweet guy with an enormous sense of humor that I just had to do something to show him my appreciation for him.  He's also quite a promising artist himself and I wish him all the best in the years to come!  Thanks, Greg!  

"Greg"  SOLD

14"x11" Oil on Canvas Panel

The first of two paintings of the day, this was a painting that held much promise to be a great success until I messed with it too much!  I decided to learn from my mistakes by keeping it as it is, set it aside and start a new painting entirely.

"Grand Dame Phyllis"

16"x12" Oil on Canvas Panel

Ok, for me the name fits as Ms. Phyllis Eifert is quite an intriguing woman.  Her story is fascinating as she is an incredible artist!  Known for her Equine and figurative bronze sculptures, paintings and drawings, this beautiful woman made quite a name for herself as an accomplished sculptor/painter in the day and age when men dominated the scene.  I guess you could say she was the "Mary Cassatt" among her male artist peers.

"Sweet Luke" SOLD

20"x16" Oil on Linen Canvas   sold

This 15 year old showed incredible self-discipline as he sat for us for the second day's painting.

"Rachel"

20"x16" Oil on Linen Canvas

Rachel modeled the first day of the Portrait Workshop for us.

Rich demonstrating how to begin. . . 

Demo in progress

We are all soaking it in. . . 

Our turn at painting with our first model, Rachel

Luke posed for us the following day

The students painting Ms. Phyllis

remembering to "breathe!"

The Concentration could be cut with a knife!

Rich taking a break to read a text

Susan painted masterfully!

Rich and his lovely wife, Kim, hosting the entire class for dinner at their beautiful home.

"Looking Toward Station 18"

9"x12" Oil on Canvas

I narrowly escaped the approaching storm when this was painted.  But it is the best time to paint because the clouds develop dramatic undulations and forms.
I was standing at Sullivan's Island Station 18 1/2 looking toward Station 18.  I believe the distant land mass is either Downtown Charleston or James Island.

"A New Challenge" SOLD

"Adirondack chairs"  

sold

 8"x10" Oil on Linen mounted on Birch Panel

I left the brushes at home and thought I'd try my hand at painting exclusively with a pallet knife.  

Wow, this was challenging.  But I appreciated how it forced me to leave out the details.  

"Adirondack Chairs" was the first painting of the morning. 

 nfs - gifted  9"x12" Oil on Linen mounted on Birch Panel 

"Dreamy Place" was the second painting of the morning using the Pallet knife.  

I stood on the sandy beach looking out over the harbor toward the Charleston South Carolina skyline.

A quick third study with the pallett knife.  This one is 8"x10" Oil on Linen mounted on Masonite Board
The view is from the bluff above the sand dunes looking over the little cove where the water meets Fort Moultrie's back field.

"Building Up" SOLD

12"x9" Oil on GessoBord brand panel   sold

Today's Painting!!

The sun was strong, the clouds were showing off and we were back at the Boat Landing on Sullivan's Island.  Forget the marsh, I had to capture those cloud forms.  Plein Air painting ever-shifting, ever changing clouds is like trying to paint a playful puppy or a motoring toddler from life!  Hoping I captured their grandeur.

"Sullivan's Point" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on GessoBord brand panel   SOLD

It was a cool spring day and the distant mist shrouded the new Ravenel Bridge's iconic diamond structures.  I stood at the back of Fort Moultrie's property (lawn) over-looking the beach rocks at the harbor's edge.

It's good to be back!!

"Marshland Trees" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen mounted birch board   sold

After completing views of the tidal creek my attention was captured by the group of trees on the edge of the marsh.  I loved how they created shapes of light and shadow and color.

"Winding Away" SOLD

5"x7"  Oil on GessoBord brand Panel   sold

The tide was traveling out and away and I wanted to put its essence down quickly on a small format.  I love these little gems; they help to keep me "loose" and focus on the important "notes" and not get caught up on the details.

"Boat Landing" SOLD

 9"x12" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

Painted en Plein Air on site at the Boat Landing at Station 26 on the marshside of Sullivan's Island, SC

"Pitt Street Park"

10"x8" Oil on Linen Birch Board

It got quiet suddenly at The Old Pitt Street Bridge-turned-Park in the Old Village.  After a very bustling morning of joggers, new moms getting out to enjoy the day with babies, dog-walkers and all those wanting to enjoy today's gorgeous weather, I found this quiet perspective - and got a little sun-burned too.

"Honey Hole" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Birch Board   sold

The roots of this tree at low tide captured my eye. As the morning progressed, I later met the man behind me baiting for crabs and learned he already claimed this spot as his personal "honey hole" and was hoping to catch lunch for his visiting NY in-laws.  So, this is a tribute to him and his lovely crabbing spot.

"Marsh Reeds"

9"x12" Oil on Canvas

The brackish water rushed out to sea revealing the pinkish-gold path of dried marsh reeds.

"A Recent Afternoon" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel   Sold

Another lovely day in the Lowcountry. . . the conditions were perfect to be out painting!  The sun was warm, the breeze was light and cool and everything is in bloom or has bloomed. Even the bugs stayed away.  It was a great day.

"Beach Day" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

I painted this en plein air this past Wednesday at Sullivan's Island Station 18.  The day was perfectly gorgeous!  Richard, my 4-year old son, joined me and he had a blast playing in the surf and saying "hi" to all the passing puppies.  This was our first beach day this spring. . . any suggestions for titles?

"Steel Magnolia"

Unframed image: 36"x24" Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

Recently widowed, this gentle Southern lady continues to smile with poise and strength.  To me, her life she tells would make the strongest man crumble but she continues to stand with dignity.

"Welcome Home"

9"x12" Oil on Canvas

This home and its gardens have been the subject of several of my paintings. . . everytime I come here to paint, a most glorious feeling of "welcome" envelopes me.  Thank you, Sally, for sharing your gorgeous home!

"Belted Kingfisher" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

A Collector asked that I paint a Belted Kingfisher for him.  Hope he likes it.

"Spring Silver Set"

12"x9" Oil on Linen Panel

Spring is in the air (and the greenish-yellow pollen is on my car!)  I've got the fever!!

"Ship Yard Entry"

"Shipyard Entry" 12"x9" Oil on Canvas

Painted on site at Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, I took the vantage point of the entryway to the docks instead of out on the water.  It was COLD and WINDY today!  The temperature was about 10-15 degrees colder near the docks, so I was on a mission to get the information of this scene down as quickly as I could as my hands were getting to the point they couldn't feel what they held!  If it weren't for the wind, this would have been a rather warm day to paint - out in the bright sunshine.  Still, I have no right to complain as the midwest and northeast are being buried under snow as I painted this.  Stay warm, y'all!!

Portrait's Latest Application

24"x36" Oil on Canvas.

It's not quite finished yet, but I just wanted to share the progress with you. . . It's not the greatest photograph since I took it as the sun was setting outside.  But I am liking the development.  What do you think?

"Down At The Docks" SOLD

11"x14" Oil on Gessobord brand panel   sold

The Wednesday painters met at Shem Creek Docks behind the "Wreck" Restaurant to paint.  The sun came out suddenly today and warmed us up a bit from all the chilly, rainy weather we've endured these past few days.  It was good to be outside again.